Immigrant Visa Categories: K Visas - Fiancée Visas

Starting March 16, 2013, applicants for fiancé (K) visas and their accompanying children can pay the non-refundable visa application fee of HK$1,920 at any 7-11 store in Hong Kong or Macau. Dah Sing Bank and Banco Commercial de Macau will no longer accept payment for these fees after March 15, 2013. In order to pay at a 7-11, applicants must obtain a proper pay statement from the Consulate call center (+ 852 5808 4666) or through Apply for a U.S. Visa. Applicants should be sure to identify themselves as a fiancé (K) visa applicant. The pay statement then can be taken to any 7-11 store in Hong Kong or Macau for payment. Once paid, the applicant will receive a receipt which must be brought to the Consulate on the day of the interview.

A fiancée of a U.S. citizen who wants to travel to the United States to marry and take up permanent residence after marriage must obtain a K-1 visa.

To qualify for a K-1 visa, the following conditions are necessary:

• One party is a U.S. citizen
• Both parties are legally free to marry, that is, neither party is currently married
• Both parties have met in-person within two years immediately prior to the filing on the petition.
• The marriage will take place within 90 days of the fiancée entering the United States on the fiancée visa

Where should a fiancée petition be filed?

The first step in applying for a fiancée visa is for the U.S. citizen (the petitioner) to file Form I-129F with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) in the United States. The petition cannot be filed in Hong Kong.

Can my children be included on a fiancée visa petition?

Unmarried children under the age of 21 are eligible to derive status from the fiancée visa petition filed on behalf of their parent and their names should be included in the petition. If the U.S. citizen is the natural father or mother of the child, the child may have a claim to U.S. citizenship – please contact the American Citizen Services unit for further information.

How long does it take to process a fiancée visa?

The average processing time of the fiancé visa applications ranges from six-to-nine months. Once a petition has been filed, the petitioner may track the status of the pending case online at the USCIS website. Applicants who are missing documents at the time of their interview should expect to experience delays in the visa process.

What if I want to get married in United States and then return immediately to my residence in Hong Kong or Macau?

If you plan to return to your permanent place of residence outside the United States after the marriage ceremony in the United States, you should apply for a B-2 visa, or if eligible, travel visa free under the Visa Waiver Program Visa Waiver Program.

What can I expect from the application process?

Once the visa petition is approved by USCIS, it will be sent to the National Visa Center (NVC) in New Hampshire for additional processing. If the fiancée visa applicant is resident in Hong Kong or Macau, the petition will then be forwarded to the U.S. Consulate General in Hong Kong. The Immigrant Visa Unit of the U.S. Consulate will mail an instruction packet to the applicant for collecting required documents including civil documents, police certificates, affidavit of supports, etc. Applicants born in the Philippines or carrying passports issued by the Government of the Philippines should carefully review the U.S. Embassy/Consulate Specific Information (select "HNK - Hong Kong" from the dropdown list and click on "US Embassy/Consulate-specific information). (PDF 1.3 MB)

After applicants inform the Immigrant Visa Unit that they have completed visa forms, obtained all of required documents and are ready for their visa interview, an appointment with a consular officer will be scheduled. The Immigrant Visa Unit will mail an appointment packet containing a letter informing on the need for the applicant to have a medical examination. Please see instructions relating to the medical examination process. (PDF 293 KB)

What can I expect on the interview date?

Applicants should appear at the Consulate General interview at the appointed time. Late arrivals may not be processed. Please bring all documents indicated on the checklist to the interview.  Children under 14 years of age who are Hong Kong or Macau citizens do not need to appear in person. Children under 14 years of age who are not Hong Kong or Macau citizens must appear in person. Applicants will go through a pre-screening process, have their fingerprints taken, and be interviewed by a consular officer.
 
Please do not bring any electronic equipment or large bags/suitcases to the Consulate. Cameras, cell phones, computers and other electronics are not allowed inside the building.

Most applicants will be told if they qualify for a visa at the time of the interview. Because it usually takes several business days to process and print the visa, applicants should not purchase tickets to the United States until they have received their passport with the U.S. visa affixed inside.

Eligible visa applicants will be informed of available methods for passport delivery and/or pick-up after the visa interview.

If a visa cannot be approved on the day of the interview due to documentation problems, applicants will be informed of what documents are required to continue the process. The application will then be temporarily refused under INA Section 221(g). Immigrant visa applicants interviewed and refused under Section 221(g) can submit their requested documents to the Immigrant Visa Unit window between 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., any workday except U.S. and Hong Kong public holidays. Please monitor the Consulate General's website for holiday or administrative closures. For such applicants, no appointment is necessary and the public is seen on a first-come, first-served basis. Applicants (or someone designated by them to submit their documents) should bring the blue refusal letter, all requested documents and a current travel document for each traveler.

Once you have received your fiancé/fiancée visa, please note the expiration date. You must enter the United States within the timeframe.

Please see Fiancée Visa Frequently Asked Questions.

Last modified: March 15, 2013